Friday 29 July 2011

Drum, Albino Boa and pink chair.



Save Portobello Market benefit at the Pop up Cinema.





















Last nights benefit featured a screening of 'Stall Stories' a short film made by Colville School pupils and featuring some of the stalwarts of the market.

An entertaining little film.

Passport to Pimlico was screened later but I passed on that preferring the Mangrove Steel pan rehearsals at the Tabernacle.

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Leaving me. A poem for a fairytail punk.

She said don't jump

I said I can't jump
If I jumped
I'd rise
I'd rise above you

And the last thing I want to do
Is
Look down on you.

She said don't jump.

Monday 25 July 2011

12 Bar Blues.

We fought
She left

guitily later I searched

the gold
the Star
Cock & Bottle
Ground Floor
Finches
Castle
Mau Mau
Muse Elgin
the Union
cow
& Westbourne

Of course I had a drink in each.

Now I've got the 12 bar blues & can't remember who I'm looking for.

The Van Susans at the 100 Club.


I hadn't been to the 100 club in years. My visit to the lavatory on Friday night went part of the way to explaining why.

I took along a friend I hadn't been to a gig with since our teens 40 years ago; the two support bands convinced us that nothing has changed in 40 years. We haven't grown up, Rock n roll hasn't aged but sometimes you wish it would die. I'm sure the band members were having fun and we were content to reminisc and wait for the Van Susans.

We were there for the launch of their EP 'We could be scenery', out on Beatnik Geek Records now. I'd not heard of them before but was told they were worth a listen. so we listened.


Described as a PopCore/indie band (no help to me but I'm not their target audience) Van Susans are a good looking sextet with a charismatic frontman Olly Andrews and a violin wielding woman, I'm partial to a violin in a band ever since the Velvet Underground. so far so good.

And well worth the smelly loos and indifferent generic support it was too. the band have some good songs with some intelligent narratives, harmonic melodies and a sense of fun. I'm not a musician, I'll leave that stuff up to other more qualified reviewers, I'm part of an audience and all I can write about is being there.

We will hear more from this band, they reminded me of someone or something but it may have been that they just reminded me to see them again.








Saturday 23 July 2011

BREAKING NEWS: Amy Winehouse, 27, found dead at her London flat

Amy Winehouse has been found dead. she was 27. 27. You have to make it past 27. R.I.P. Amy.

She probably is in peace for the first time in a long time.

In rehab at last.

Thursday 21 July 2011

Carl Gabriel, carnival artist.

























I found Carl setting up some of his amazing carnival pieces at the Tabernacle today.

Tuesday 19 July 2011

‘Live on Stage: Rock Photography from Dylan to Dubstep’

Dylan to Dubstep.

An exhibition by Ellen Doherty and Keith Baugh
at the West Bank Gallery, LondonAugust 12th. 2011




West Bank London is at 133 - 137 Westbourne Grove. W11.

Friday 15 July 2011

Ashley Noot at the Tabernacle.


Ashley Noot is an american singer-songwriter. She is best known for her single "Oh no what" from her debut album "Throwing away your love songs."


Ashley Noot was sitting in the Tabernacle being interviewed on video to promote her debut album. I said hello... I said come back and do a show here. I hope she does.


You can find her music on itunes at; http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/oh-no-what/id382683903

Old Commonwealth Institute on High Street Kensington.






Tuesday 12 July 2011

Lithuania takes over the Tabernacle kitchen




















Called in to the Tabernacle this afternoon to find the aesthetics of the kitchen improved considerably by a trio of Lithuanians preparing Cepelinai: a traditional dish.



I'm hanging around for the tasting.

Bicycle Shrine and westbourne Park Road Latin Dog.




Sunday 10 July 2011

Et in Arcadia ego. Idle Bakes.

I don't know who is responsible for this blog but it tastes like arcadian bliss. click HERE

Friday 8 July 2011

Kingsland Butchers leave Portobello road & Home deliveries.

Sadly kingslands have gone. I don't know the reasons for the departure but it leaves us without an affordable good butchers. You need to re-mortgage the house to use the butchers up the road (I'm not going to name them, they ain't getting any free publicity from me).

The good news is that Kingsland Edwardian Butchers will continue to do home deliveries in the area twice a week; Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call them on 01932 241815. Or visit their Website HERE


Thursday 7 July 2011

Suspiciously, Elvis spotted in Notting Hill again.


Is he recording again. Basing Street Studios. One time home of Island records.

 At Founded & co, Portobello Road
 Is Elvis nesting in the area. Or perhaps a present for the mystery blonde.

I spotted him leaving this Boutique Hotel in Colville Road. W11
I bribed the concierge for this picture.

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Portrait of a poet dying before his mother.

Do not let me die yet
I need another ten years at least
I'll cut a deal
I'll destroy that painting in the attic
That painting of my mother.

suspiciously Elvis in Notting Hill


Suspiciously Elvis is at the Tabernacle W11 on Friday evening. Here is a taster.

Monday 4 July 2011

A crazy week in Portobello.


It has been a busy week. Last Wednesday was Gus Robertson's (razorlight) birthday party at the Portobello Gold. It was a suitably rock n roll affair with a hint of the Viper Rooms about it. Good to see Gary from the Rotten Hill gang and Legendary Club man Gaz Mayall. Especially good to bump into my favourite actress Honeysuckle Weeks who was absolutely glowing in the late stages of pregnancy.


                                           Photos: Marie Elena Ely

I popped into the Castle further down the road to catch James Simmins and friends playing there. Another good thing.

Friday was a little bonkers. I called in to the Westbourne Studio's to catch Wade Bayliss who is putting on a weekly thing there with his band. I managed a rendition of the rock n roll poem with trombone solo which was a pretty interesting experience.

Then on to Delphi's birthday party at the Retro Bar, 50 Bosworth Road North Kensington London W10 5EG [map ] Where Adam Masterson was playing as well as the birthday girl herself. delphi's set was fantastic and full of energy. A lovely night in an interesting new venue.

Delphi

Saturday Night was Loco Cabaret at the Grand Union W9. Great fun. Did the rock n roll poem Video HERE, with a band comprised of Roger Pomphrey, Jonno, James Simmins and others. It was a little on the crazy side. The rest of the acts were great including a virtuoso performance from 'Fishslice' accompanied by Paul Browse.

All in all a great week.



Sunday 3 July 2011

Charli Clark at The Muse at 269.


The Muse is a cafe/bar/gallery on Portobello Road, it was one of  my locals when I lived in the road, It's a great little place. Check it out.

The gallery is showing the work of  Artist in residence Charli Clark until the 17th of this month. It is very very good and full of humour. a mix of video installation, site specific performance stuff, photography and more. GO AND LOOK!

The Muse at 269
269 Portobello Road
London W11 1LR

Poetry is the new rock n roll. Live at loco Cabaret at the Grand Union W9.

Portobello sights: The blue door #1

Friday 1 July 2011

Rusty in Portobello, pink skies and pies.

My old mate Rusty McGlint has flown in from New Mexico for a few days. I took him to the Tab for a beer. On seeing the gingham tablecloths in the courtyard he burst into tears. 'What's up rusty' I asked.

'It's the tablecloths' he said. 'Remind me of Lula Mae's gingham chaps and handsome homemade pies. I miss that woman bad'.























He put on his pink shades to hide his teary eyes. curious, I asked to try them on. Wow who needs drugs.